Thousands of people took to the streets in Niamey, the capital of Niger, to show their support for the military government that seized power in the African country last month. Meanwhile, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) announced plans to intervene after earlier economic sanctions against Niger.
As in the previous events, the participants chanted a lot of anti-France slogans and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). “No to penalties!” can be heard. And read it on the signs. Or also: “Down with France!” and “Stop the military intervention!”. During the demonstration, the musicians paid tribute to the army that is now in power.
Military intervention
ECOWAS threatened to take action if ousted President Mohamed Bazoum was not reinstated. And on Friday evening, after a meeting of the chiefs of staff of the Group of Fifteen African Nations in the Ghanaian capital, Accra, it was said that “the day of intervention has been set.” Previously, strict financial and trade sanctions imposed by the countries of the group were in effect in Niger.
Answer
However, Niger’s new military rulers insist on the support of the population and warn against any form of armed intervention from outside. “If there is any act of aggression against us, it will not be this healthy march that some assume,” Abdurrahman Tiani, the post-coup leader, said during his televised address on Saturday night. Tianyi also announced that he wanted to form a transitional government that would remain in power for a maximum of three years.
Despite these harsh words, all hope of a diplomatic solution does not appear to have evaporated. The ECOWAS delegation went to Niamey on Saturday. She met both Tianyi and the ousted president Bazoum.
back home
Meanwhile, expats in Niger are leaving the country in droves. The Ministry of Defense and Foreign Affairs announced, on Sunday morning, that our country has brought back about 130 Belgians, EU citizens and eligible parties from Niger in recent days. In total, about 240 people have already been repatriated.
(Replay) Watch also: Niger’s ousted president responds with an open letter
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